Improvement in corkscrews



W. R. CLOUGH.

v CORK-SCREW.

No. 172,868. I Patented Feb. 1,1876.

J 21; F5121 D Q x NLPETERS. PHOTD-LITHOGRAWER WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITED (S ATES "PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R'OLOUGH, or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN. coRKscREws.

Specification forming partof Letters Patent No. 172,868, dated February 1 1876; application filed November 1,1875. l

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, WILLIAM R. GLoUeH,

of Newark, New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Corkscrews, of which the followingis a specification:

The invention relates to a corkscrew formed of one or more pieces of wire, two or more strands of which are united to form the shank, which distinguishes the device from that for which Letters Patent of the United States were granted to me on the 6th day of April, 1875, the device claimed in which patent exhibited the employment of but one piece of wlre.

The object of the invention is to provide a cheap, durable, and useful cork-screw.

It is well known that it has heretofore been customary in the. construction of corkscrews to employ a blank or piece of metal of such weight and diameter as to permit of its being adapted to form a shank of strength and rigidity, which qualities it is desirable that the shank should possess, for reasons which need not be recited. I am enabled by my invention to dispense with the use of such blank or piece, and to produce a corkscrew in which the desired strength and rigidity of the shank are effected by uniting two or more pieces of wire,

or two or more parts of a single piece of wire, by bending, twisting, folding, wrapping, coiling, or otherwise manipulating thewire or wires, in such manner as to form the shank in two or inore'threads, pieces, or parts without in any wise changing the diameter or diameters of the wire or wires employed. I am also enabled to dispense with a separate handle by bending the wire or wires to form a handle,and to effect other important and beneficial results, as hereinafter more fully set forth. v

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 2, and 3, are views showing embodiments of the invention, with the blanks out of which the respective devices are formed. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are views showing embodiments of different styles and configurations. Fig. 4 shows the free end ofv the wire attached by soldering.

In constructing the device I take, by prefform of an ellipse, substantially as shown in Figs. 1,2, and 3, whereby I am able to gain strength and rigidity without sacrificing other important features. I prefer,.also, to construct the shank as shown in Fig. 1, believing" the same to be the most effective form; nevertheless any and all the other embodiments shown maybe practiced with good results.

While I prefer to construct the corkscrew in all respects substantially as shown in said Fig. 1, I regard the divers other embodiments shown as important and useful, and especially meritorious, as facilitating the full enjoyment of the invention by the public, by enabling the public to practice it by employing more than one piece of wire, whereby short pieces or fragments of wire may be utilized. When more than one piece of wire is employed, the several pieces are united or connected by twisting, bending, coiling, or soldering, and manipulated to form a devicehaving a screw, shank, and handle, substantially the same as those hereinbefore described. Figs. 2 3,,

5, 6, and 7, represent devices in Which more than one piece of wire is employed, and will be suggestive of numerous other like embodiments of the invention. Where more than one piece of wire is used, the pieces may be of different diameters, and the length of the pieces will be relatively immaterial, but a better result will be produced if the pieces are of the same diameter and otherwise similar. While, as hereinbefore set forth, I prefer the elliptical form of handle; other forms may be used. Thus, the handle may be in the shape of one or more loops, or one or more eyes, or of any other shape or configuration, as may be desired. And pieces of wood or other maembodiments and modifications which it would be impracticable to describe herein. I do not claim broadly herein a corkscrcw made of a single piece of wire, as shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States granted to me on the 6th day of April, 1875, but what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A corkscrew formed of a single piece of wire, a portion of the wire being formed into a screw, its upper part formed into a handle, and its free end utilized to strengthen the shank between the handle and screw, substantially as shown and set forth.

' 2. A corkscrew, formed of two or more pieces of wire, connected to form a screw, A, handle B, and shank C, substantially as described.

3. A corkscrew, formed of two or more pieces of wire twisted together throughout a portion of their length to form the shank of the screw, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing improvement in corkscrews, as above described, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of October, 1875. p

WILLIAM R. GLOUGH. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

HENRY G. BANKS, ROWLAND Cox. 

